The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-10-10
A UNION WITHOUT POLITICS.
THE TRUCK DRYERS DoDT MORTGAGE
THEIR Votes M JOINING.

10 has Inerea.ed s,x Fe'd :. Nu-sers since
IL Withdrew from the Control OF the
Knishts and Began seif.Governmcnt.
A score OF rugged-looking men sat in q
small room adjoining Warren Hall ut Clark
and Spring streets yesterday afternoon grave
ly discussing matters that were Of interest to
1900 workinsmen in this city, Brooklyn, and
Jersey City. They were officers and leaders Of
the Truck Drivers Benevolent and Protective
Association. Those workinRmen stand apart,
conducting their Affairs without assistance or
suggestions from other labor organizations,
agreeing fully with them upon nearly every
question that arises In regard to labor. but dis
agreeing with many Of them on the question
Of turning trade unions Into political bodies.
In 1883. whom oil the organized truck drivers
were connected with the Knights Of Labor
they numbered only 3o0 The number was 90
small in comparison with the large number OF
truck drivers that their power In tho Knights
was less than they thought belonged to them
by right, and they determined to organize an
association OF their own on the broad ground
Of charity and protection. Very little Canvass
Ing and less discussion made It apparent that
they could embrace in their association every
man In the three cities who drove truck for Q
trlling and the benefits. great They quietly
1883 the $40 men started In earnestly to organ.
ize what has SINCE grown to BE- u powerful
Would h" Ms eHSs Snd b a
determined to keep clear OF nll political Ques:
tlons aud steer their course on protective and
When the truckmen found that they could
Join = labor organisation without mortgaging
been Increased to 1900. '''' 'n' ''' '"'" ""o
eas ws 9r 9
own aoions but ali under the necessity q re-.
porting al t their nSSemenss to The oflcsrs Of
sIs GSs5,ss
in the organization, with the exception Of two.
IL an employee OF truck nS p owner These two
n The ter owns nSmbep q
wagons. Taken altogether the members Of
the association work very hard for moderate
cost q membership down to rs low limit as
The managers oi this large body Of men arc
welfare OF the association ut heart. and with
Sny one MAKE Il SO the
association Is now 'o on sound financial basis.
Change shss Is an
mem6ership and proportiolate increase In
ss Ssasts a. Sspn1 e IN.
This entities him to all the benefits. II he Is
ssE ans 1Rsss s ssssSss
and prolonged. the association sees to Il that
he stu keeps his home. and that his wife and
Of the 1900 members Is Informed Of 4 and az
80 ss Is
plished. II he dies 500 q paid to his widow.
AND and II a man loses his VILE 10 receives $40.
Tho association has SO far paid out In benefits
The custodians OF this benefit fund are three
portani trust at prssent are Michael Mummy.
Patrick jennings. and William Cooper. They
men ' have thei hours Of pleasure e and they
indulge once or twice year In grand blow
out that serves to make them acquainted with
each other aud to place them upon the most
frien dly footing.
The meeting yesterday was held partly for
bal! that the. association vii dive on T6anks-
giving eve in Webster Hall. All Of their en-
give The enbers ali the fae they Want an
4s ts benefit
President Nc auehin is six feet tall. slim. ct
aps ii the He
to the point; During the excitement Of q bio
and always ready to admit that everybody Il
Trustee jennings is Of middle height with
ford face and brown moustache. He takes
part In nearly, all the debates. and Is always
around when the interests Of the association
are in peril
Warren E. Cox. the Treasurer of the west
side branch, Is we'll built. light. complexioned
man. who holds a responsible place and II
fat hful to the trust.
This association, like nearly every other body
OF organized men, has its little coterie Of ora
tors who are always ready and willing to talk.
and who frequently range themselves upon
thing. Among these. are Timothy ]. Shields,
who ts driver for big firm. He has q full
black beard and positive manner. He Is al
ways around when the association is Discuss
ing anything, OF importance and 10 always
is Morton Shaughnessy He is about 40 years
rns Questions o the day Mcbael IL f Bo ss
has also reputation as an orator. He has
same rank L. W. H. Russell. u we'll built man.
who knows all about the European problem,
The debates In the meetings are sometimes
hot, but are all settled amicably over Q quiet
glass and smoke In some adjacent hostelry.
DruGRists Hold tor Imitatins Labels